120129-car-logoBest Logo. Aeronne Paul Coronel of Benguet State University, with his winning design for the 'Save Balili River, Count Me In! Logo design contest of the Balili River System Revitalization Coalition (BRSRC) during the awarding program cum Kapihan media forum at the Benguet State University, Thursday. The handing of cash prize and certificate of recognition were La Trinidad Mayor Greg Abalos and Raffy Tallocoy of the Baguio CityMayor's Office. (Photo By Lito Dar/PIA-CAR)

Cordillera Administrative Region

PIA Press ReleaseSaturday, January 07, 2012

Firecracker-related injuries in Abra decrease by half

by Maritess B. Beñas

BANGUED, Abra, Jan. 7 (PIA) -- The number of firecracker-related injuries during the new year’s revelry decreased by half compared to the preceding last year.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Godofredo Gasa reported that as of the last day of monitoring, January 5, a total of 19 cases were recorded. This number represents a decrease of more than 50 percent compared to last year’s record high of 46.

Almost all the cases were attended to at the Abra Provincial Hospital with just one or two cases from the various district hospitals in Dolores, Bucay, La Paz and Villaviciosa.

The dramatic decrease in cases of firecracker-related injuries in Abra could be attributed to the intensified information education campaign (IEC) carried out by various agencies led by the Department of Health – Center for Health Development, the Philippine National Police , the Philippine Information Agency , the Bureau of Fire Protection and the local media on the “APIR, GIVE ME 5” (Action Paputok Injury Reduction! Give me Five!).

There were still two cases of injured persons due to indiscriminate firing by unidentified individuals. Victims of stray bullets were a young boy from the town of San Juan, and a 20-year old guy from Brgy. Sta. Rosa, Bangued. (JDP/MTBB- PIA CAR,Abra)